Tiffany N. Scott Ricks, M.S.N., R.N., Tracie Harrison, Ph.D., R.N., F.N.P. Disability and Health Journal Volume 4, Issue 4, Pages 262–270, October 2011 Abstract Background Overall, there is a dearth of research reporting mixed-method data collection procedures using the life history calendar (LHC) within disability research. Objective This report provides practical knowledge on use of […]
Abstract Topics: Program Evaluation
A pilot study of quality of life in children with cerebral palsy after intensive body weight-supported treadmill training.
PURPOSE: This pilot study was designed to examine the effects of a 2-week program of intensive body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on clinical measures of perceived health-related quality of life and fatigue in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: Six children with spastic cerebral palsy (aged 6-14 years; all classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System […]
Exercise and quality of life among people with multiple sclerosis: looking beyond physical functioning to mental health and participation in life.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of exercise in a national sample of veterans with multiple sclerosis (MS) and the association of exercise with quality of life, including physical health, mental health, and participation restriction. DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study linking computerized medical records to mailed survey data from 1999. SETTING: Veterans Health Administration. PARTICIPANTS: Veterans with […]
Initial outcomes of a mental illness self-management program based on wellness recovery action planning.
OBJECTIVE: This study examined changes in psychosocial outcomes among participants in an eight-week, peer-led, mental illness self-management intervention called Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP). METHODS: Eighty individuals with serious mental illness at five Ohio sites completed telephone interviews at baseline and one month after the intervention. RESULTS: Paired t tests of pre- and postintervention scores […]
Initial evaluation of the Peer-to-Peer program.
OBJECTIVE: Peer-to-Peer, sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), is a structured, experiential, self-empowerment, relapse prevention and wellness program led by trained peer mentors for people with mental illnesses. The authors conducted the first empirical evaluation of the program by using a pre-post survey design. METHODS: Approximately 550 participants who were enrolled in […]
The benefits of physical activity for youth with developmental disabilities: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE: Analyze evidence of the benefits of physical activity for youth with developmental disabilities. DATA SOURCES: Key word searches for “disability,” “physical activity,” “exercise,” “fitness,” and “sport” in major databases. A total of 3263 citations was found. STUDY INCLUSION/EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Systematic reviews and articles about studies quantitatively examining the effects of physical activity in youth […]
Influence of adapted sport on quality of life: perceptions of athletes with cerebral palsy.
PURPOSE: This study sought to examine the effect of adaptive sports participation on athletic identity and influence on quality of life (QOL) for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) participating in the CP World Games. METHOD: Surveys were conducted with 73 international athletes competing in the 2005 CP World Championships. The survey included descriptive questions about […]
Psychosocial impact of participation in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and Winter Sports Clinic.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of individuals who participate in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG) and the Winter Sports Clinic (WSC) for veterans with disabilities. In addition, it was of interest to determine how these events had impacted their lives. METHOD: Participants were recruited at the 20th Winter […]
Following up fighting fit: the long-term impact of health practitioner input on obesity and BMI amongst adults with intellectual disabilities.
This article presents findings on the long-term impact of health practitioner input to reduce obesity amongst adults with intellectual disabilities. Body mass index (BMI) was measured for an input group (N = 33) and a comparison group (N = 40) 6 years after the input group first received input. Data on BMI were collected at […]
Group aquatic aerobic exercise for children with disabilities.
The effectiveness and safety of a group aquatic aerobic exercise program on cardiorespiratory endurance for children with disabilities was examined using an A-B study design. Sixteen children (11 males, five females) age range 6 to 11 years (mean age 9y 7mo [SD 1y 4mo]) participated in this twice-per-week program lasting 14 weeks. The children’s diagnoses […]